For the owners of this dreamy Canadian countryside home, Kimberly and David, the plan was simple enough: to create a traditional space that was relaxed and stately, with a careful curation of comfortable pieces and vintage finds. With their busy lifestyle, it was important to them that the house was refined and homely without being pretentious or too precious.
The couple had a compelling vision for building their forever home, and after many years of moving from one city to another following David’s career in the US National Hockey League (NHL), they were ready to return to Vancouver and make their dream a reality. Influenced by their time in the US and their many trips to Europe, Kim and David arrived at the concept of a ‘new-old home’ that was elegant and restrained.
Interior designer Kelly Deck drew inspiration from historical houses in the southern US as well as the traditional Provençal mas to fulfil their vision. ‘It is impossible to imagine a home from either of these places without it looking crass and new world,’ she says. ‘Instead, we used them as a jumping-off point for layers of warm neutrals, matte finishes, tarnished metals and textured stones and tiles. This house is effortless, unpretentious and warmly enveloping – it is the type of space you never want to leave once you have settled in.’
The residence backs onto a lush ravine at the base of the North Shore Mountains, conveniently situated in a well-established family neighbourhood close to the local ski mountains. This beautiful, natural backdrop complements the warm and earthy pallet of parchment, linen and ivory as well as the antique hues of white that flow through the home to maintain a soft and approachable feel.
As soon as you walk in, the two-storey grand entry with a sweeping staircase makes a statement, while the chiselled marble flooring in an ashlar pattern adds to the warm and inviting atmosphere. The same flooring can be seen in the laundry, powder room and main ensuite to keep the home quietly effortless. After the stone floors, wide-plank oak flooring was used for the remaining bedrooms and common spaces.
Most of the flooring on the property has a matte finish to stand the constant comings and goings of children, dogs and general family life. ‘Kim and David wanted the home to be low maintenance and easy, so we avoided polished marble on the countertops and chose quartz instead, giving it an ogee edge to express the traditional sensibilities of the home and prevent it from looking too contemporary,’ says Kelly.
The entire space is wonderfully curated, feeling as though the home had happened over decades rather than a few years. Delicate, muted patterns are met with warming textures to create a lived-in look, ensuring that the house does not feel staged or contrived. Kim personally undertook all the furnishing and decor herself, sourcing vintage rarities and getting other pieces of furniture custom made.
She also extracted family treasures and artworks from her parents’ place and gave them new meaning and purpose throughout her own space. Even though the home is filled with beautiful objects and furnishings, its interior architecture is very quiet and restrained. ‘We are constantly reviewing our designs and asking what we can take out rather than what we can put in,’ says Kelly. ‘Restraint is the key to elegance and ease.’
This story originally written by Shai Rama and appeared in our H&G October 2022 issue. To purchase the latest digital copy, click here.
